One of the ideal processes that you can do if you want to improve the look and lifespan of your pavement is the seal coating. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there who don’t know when they need to do it. It’s advised that you need to seal coat pavement and asphalt surfaces at least every 3 years. However, there are a couple of things to consider when making the appointment.  

Here are some considerations to make before seal coating your asphalt paving: 

Ideal Conditions for Seal coating 

An expert might tell you that now isn’t the ideal time for seal coating. Of course, there’s a reason why they tell you that. For those who don’t know, the seal coating process has to be done under particular conditions to be successful, such as: 

  • Rain 

Seal coating can be easily ruined even with light rain, especially if the coat hasn’t dried properly. Thus, warm and sunny days help the process get done faster. In addition to that, it also offers less possibility that rain will come and damage it. A contractor will reschedule if there’s a small possibility of rain during the day.  

  • Proper Temperature 

The temperature outside plays a huge part in the process. Warmer temperatures clearly help the seal coat to dry quicker. However, in order for the seal to properly set, it needs to be more than 50°F. This is the minimum temperature for both the ground and the air temperature.  

  • Sun for Drying 

Seal coat requires enough time to dry as it goes in a liquid state. A lot of professionals rely on the sun to help speed up things. It does not mean that the job can’t be done if there’s not a lot of sun. However, it does result in other issues.  

Repaving 

Oftentimes, seal coating isn’t enough. If your parking lot or driveway has a lot of serious damages, potholes, subsided depressions, deep wide cracks, and deterioration, repaving is recommended.  

Repaving involves placing a new layer of asphalt over the old asphalt. Basically, you’re giving your driveway or parking lot a new surface. Before this job can be done, the existing surface has to be fixed first, just like seal coating.  

Though an asphalt surface can start to deteriorate within 5-6 years without proper upkeep, it can more than 20 years with routine maintenance. The benefits of repaving your asphalt surface is that you’ve got a new flexible and pliable surface. You basically have a brand new surface. Unfortunately, shortcuts during construction, heavy loads, and severe weather conditions can result in premature failure and wear. In addition to that, repaving can cost a lot of money compared to sealcoating.  

So, if you want to avoid spending your money repaving your asphalt surface, make sure you regularly maintain it. One of the recommended ways of maintaining your asphalt surface is to sealcoat it. In addition to that, while DIY sealcoating can help you save money, it’s always best to hire a professional to do the job. They’ve got the skills and knowledge on how to properly sealcoat your asphalt surface.